Sandalwood is a natural ingrediant for making incense, aromatic oils, perfumes, and bath products. Sandalwood products are often used in Hindu and Buddhist ceremonies and practices.
The Sandal tree is grown in East
Asia, most commonly found in the forests of Karnataka,
India. The tree matures at around 60-80 years but cultivation is often started when the tree is between 30-40 years old. The
first known uses of Sandalwood has been traced to 4,000 years ago.
Sandalwood is prized for a striking "base note" in aromatherapy and perfume making. Sandalwood essential
oil's
main component: beta-santalol (90% of
oil) has antimicrobial properties. Sandalwood is also known to be a mild aphrodesiac and is one of the closest natural smells to human pharamones.